FRUITLESS MISSION

1 Samuel 23:7-8,15,25

Saul soon learned that David was at Keilah. “Good!” he exclaimed. “We’ve got him now! God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself in a walled town!”

So Saul mobilized his entire army to march to Keilah and besiege David and his men.

One day near Horesh, David received the news that Saul was on the way to Ziph to search for him and kill him.

When David heard that Saul and his men were searching for him, he went even farther into the wilderness to the great rock, and he remained there in the wilderness of Maon. But Saul kept after him in the wilderness.

Saul was king of Israel, but he lost his place with God because of continued disobedience. In losing his place he also lost kingship and worse still, the lineage of kingship in Israel.

What did he decide to do? He made it his mission to kill David whom he believed was going to take over the throne from Him.

Now, let us look at this situation carefully. David did not choose himself, the same way Saul did not choose himself. They both were chosen by God.

Samuel was the prophet in both instances. He made it clear to Saul when he disobeyed the second time that it was over.

As I asked recently while we looked at this record, who exactly was Saul fighting? God!

Imagine pursuing after David and the enemy came attacking Israel:

1 Samuel 23:26-28

Saul and David were now on opposite sides of a mountain. Just as Saul and his men began to close in on David and his men,

an urgent message reached Saul that the Philistines were raiding Israel again.

So Saul quit chasing David and returned to fight the Philistines. Ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the Rock of Escape.

Now let us relate this record to our lives as believers. 

Remember:

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Have we left our assignment and other important matters to pursue an unknown/known or fictitious enemy?

Have we left important matters and our duty to love, to go fight supposed enemies?

Does this questions look odd to you? Then it is not for you. However, if you have created time to hate on other people and make them your subject of prayers with curses and wish of calamity on them, then the question is for you.

Are you really sure that you are not the real ENEMY?

Even worse still, are you not your own ENEMY?

Some people carry about bad characters and when they are told the truth or are corrected they make you their enemy.

Some have a total misunderstanding or partial understanding of how to live and when they see someone putting them right or reacting to their wrong attitude, character or lifestyle, they quickly tag them as enemies.

Some become jealous of others and long to hear that something evil has happened to them.

Worse still, some supposed prophets have distorted the mind of some and made them believe that this or that person or even worse still group of people are enemies plotting against them.

Most of the time this isn't true.

The question then is, what makes you better than Saul?

Have you been cut away from God?

What you should be doing is to find yourself back into His Loving Arms and not moving further away from Him by fighting fruitless, unnecessary battles, moving away from the true mission.

Some of us need to work on our character. 

What we think, what we say and what we do or do not do!

There is so much to do and we have a mission to fulfill.

We do not have time to embark on a fruitless mission.

Brethren are you on track, or have you derailed?

Have you built up character and learnt how to walk by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, getting to know God better and better each new day? This should be our mission.

Hebrews 12:1-2,12-13

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.

Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Is your eyes on Jesus, God revealed in the flesh, are you focused on God's kingdom of which you have become part of if You have received Christ?

Are you working on yourself to become better, stronger and increasing in the knowledge of God or ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMEONE/PEOPLE TO BLAME!

Are you developing yourself intellectually, financially, to be a perfect spouse and parent, are you working to be that perfect brethren in faith?

Wake up, stop with the fruitless mission. Begin to live.

When we do this, then instead of fighting unnecessary battles we can say:

Hebrews 13:6

So we can say with confidence, 

“The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. 

What can mere people do to me?”

For God has promised:

Psalms 91:14-16

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. 

I will protect those who trust in my name.

When they call on me, I will answer; 

I will be with them in trouble. 

I will rescue and honor them.

I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Remember,

2 Corinthians 1:20

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

It is time to get back on the right track, don't let it be too late as Saul did, get back on track, it doesn't matter how long you have held on to those bad characters, I do not care whether you picked it up from your parents, your environment or the media that has influenced your life, GET BACK ON TRACK. God's grace and mercy is still available to you.

Help us Good Lord.

Glory to God.

PRAYER

Dear Loving Father, keep me focused on You so that any evil trying to get my attention will be a waste of time. I am focused on You Lord to know You better and to complete the mission You have assigned me. Help me Lord I will stand strong for You, keep holding me . Glory to Your name Lord forevermore.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher